Thank You For Guests On Program

Winter War in Finland 1939-1940.

Genesis Finnish-Soviet war .

Many months before the outbreak of World War II the Soviet Union wanted to grab for themselves economically and strategically important territories. Of particular concern in Joseph Stalin raised position Leningrad right on the border with Finland. Spring of 1938 sought to force the government putting the Finnish Soviet Hanko peninsula and several small, but strategically important islands between Leningrad and the shores of Finland. The ruling to date, however, the situation did not allow the USSR to decisive action. However, the outbreak of war, and the significant achievements gained by Joseph Stalin after "the September Campaign" resurgence appetites of the USSR. The Soviets also hoped to help Adolf Hitler's policy Claims against Finland. treaties concluded with Third Reich left the Soviet Union free hand in the Baltic countries with Finland, including .

situation on the eve of the war .

October 5, 1939 year with the Kremlin's ultimatum was sent to Helsinki to request the immediate arrival to Moscow, the Finnish foreign minister. Finland, however, will not yield to bend the Soviet blackmail. However, delegates Mokwy representative, who had no right to sign any document. This was good political game. The Finns were then in a difficult situation politically. They could not count on the support of any Scandinavian country. Sweden refused to even neutrality status in this conflict, which closed the road for a possible transportation through its territory, aid for struggling Finns. Therefore, the Finns were convicted solely on its own forces to fight the red plague. Despite this, the Finnish authorities did not think ulegnąć any request from the Soviet Union. With time, however, in the face of extremely unfavorable political situation, are involved in minor concessions that still not satisfied with the USSR. The Soviets demanded, practically speaking, the annexation of Finland. Fulfilling these conditions, would deprive all of Finland's defense equipment. For the Finns it was not acceptable. Faced with this situation, the Finnish-Soviet negotiations were interrupted. Thus began spun by the authorities of the USSR political and media Finnish anti-hunt . Soviet propaganda presented Finland as a dangerous country that seeks to attack the country Councils. The Soviet press is often a reminder of the "Finnish militarism " allegedly funded by the UK . The purpose of this imaginary conspiracy was the" elimination of the homeland of the world proletariat. " Moreover, the Soviet press did not shunned many articles about the alleged "strikes Finnish workers' burzącym against the exploitation of native" capitalists. " Such sentiments reported in the Kremlin, the Finnish communist Otto Kuusinen . He was secretary of the local Komiternu, which explicitly called for the Soviet military intervention against his homeland. The result of this propaganda was to organize a number of rallies in the Soviet Union, which agitated for punishment alleged "Finnish warmongers." Thus, torturer, and the real instigator of war did pander to their offering. As a result, Moscow 29 November 1939 years broke off diplomatic relations with Finland. Soviet-Finnish War was only a matter of time ...

beginning of this war.

Soviets hoped that, thanks to a powerful military superiority in manpower and quickly crush and defeat Finland. Binding to the quiet hope to create the newly occupied country underlying the republic. November 30, 1939 year began USSR aggression against Finland . The war began with the seizure of several smaller towns and a strong bombardment of Helsinki. The size and condition of the troops was much more favorable to the Soviet Union. The Finns had only 150 000 soldiers gathered in 9 divisions . Had only 100 planes, a small and light artillery, and a tiny jacket. Almost did not have tanks. The only copies of them were light tanks Renault FT-17 and light Vickers-type tanks. The Soviets and sent against Finland four Red Armies : Vsevolod Yakovlev 7, 8 Ivan Khabarov , 9 Mikhail Duchanowa and 14 Valerian Frolov . Each of the division had more equipment than the entire Finnish Army. The largest of these was the Army 7. Despite the overwhelming superiority, Soviet Union was not completely prepared for the harsh winter that prevails in Finland. Although the Russians often overcame his enemies in their own territory due to cold winter, while "War of Finland", ironically, they suffered many defeats, by an even more severe winter that has prevailed in their Finnish opponents. In truth, Finland was forced to capitulate, but inflicted heavy losses on the Soviet Union, despite their overwhelming superiority. Finns easily traversed because the frozen and covered the territories of his country. much easier for them to fight with so many rivals. The Soviets had 26 divisions grouped in four armies . After the occupation by the Red Army a few Finnish village, one of them was soon a new "Finnish Government, under the leadership Otto Kuusinen said , whom Moscow immediately endorsed. The new puppet "government" quickly relinquished to the disputed territories of the Soviet Union.

The war .

Soviet Army 7 5 divisions attacked Finland on the Karelian Isthmus . Towards Lake Ladoga, in turn, started 8th Army. 9th Army and moved above the Soviet Karelia along the bay Bothnia, while the Army 14 struck from the direction of Murmansk north. Finns no illusions about the intentions of the Soviet immediately proceeded to the heroic defense of the homeland. Finland's main center of defense was the Mannerheim Line located around the band into the Karelian isthmus . Commandant of the line consisted of Finnish Forces Commander Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil von Mannerhieim . It was a place very heroic resistance against Soviet aggression. Stopped there, despite the small number of large Soviet forces offensives. Anti-tank weapons, which the Finns have been extremely light. Therefore could not pierce the thick armor of the powerful Soviet heavy tanks type KV-1 and KV-2 . Hence, the Finns are often undermined the small hills on which the tank overcoming them exhibited the Finnish artillery shell from the side of a thin chassis, where he stayed pierced. In this way, the Soviets suffered in the line of huge material losses, with little effort Finnish. Heroic and successful defense of the Finnish sparked a huge impression on the world. For the brutal act of aggression against Finland, the Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations. However, despite this no help to the Finns niedoczekani. True France planned to send a small expedition with the help for Finland, whose members have also come Poles Podhale Brigade, but organized it in a very slow pace, which did not come to fruition. In addition to the expedition was not enough Finns help in the fight against the Soviet Union, creating what on the Scandinavian Peninsula bridgehead, the Germans blocking access to Swedish ore . Finnish commanders were realists. Did not expect so (in contrast the Polish decision-makers) on the dubious assistance from the West, but try to objectively assess their own chances and opportunities. They knew also that the winter of 1940 another great Soviet offensive could lead to the ultimate defeat the Finnish Army. They looked a possible way to re-establish negotiations with Moscow. However, I strongly undermined the prestige of the Soviet Army would not let J. Stalin to withdraw from the storm of war. Therefore February 1, 1940 was taken in the Kremlin decision to the next big offensive. The Finns were forced by the withdrawal of the last line of defense in the Karelian Isthmus between the city and Lake Ladoga Viipuri . Finnish Army had already been completely decimated. the absence of men for military volunteer units were formed as feminine. Despite the hopelessness another Soviet offensive ended in embarrassment. However, Finland was not able to withstand the next wave of Soviet offensives. From the Finnish point of view, it became necessary to bring about a compromise with Moscow. Negotiations have been all the more necessary that Sweden has again refused to permit the transit of foreign support for the Finns.

End war.

Weakened the war, Finland has decided to accept as a basis for bargaining hard and exorbitant demands of the USSR. March 8, 1940 year went to Moscow, the Finnish delegation headed by Prime Minister Risto Ryti . Signed the "Moscow peace" meant for Finland lost 10% of its territory, including the city of Viipuri, which despite many Soviet attacks continue to remain impregnable. This treaty also deprive many of Finland's defense systems and fortifications. Invincible army had to leave their positions. March 11, 1940 ceasefire was signed. Finland lost 25,000 soldiers from the knotted over 250 thousand direct combat. They had 45,000 wounded. The Soviet Union and the 1 million 200 thousand soldiers lost 48,000 and 158,000 had wounded. The Soviets in the general course of the war mobilized tanks 1500 and 3000 aircraft. Finns forced entry to the battle of new technologies (new version of the KV tank ), Which is still not really helped the Soviets. Red Army losses may be much too low in the absence of an objective relationship independent of Soviet propaganda.

Winter War in Finland 1939-1940.

Calendar of hostilities on the front of the Finnish-Soviet .

• November 30, 1939. Soviet aggression against Finland.
• December 5, 1939. Soviet attack on the Mannerheim Line. Finns by surprise gain Soviet tanks and infantry to cut off the road. The offensive is stopped.
• December 8, 1939. Finns deter attack in Kuhmo.
• December 9, 1939. Finns deter an attack on Suomussalmi.
• December 15, 1939. Soviet assault on the north-eastern part of the Mannerheim Line stops.
• 1917-1922 December 1939. Russians attacking from above the Summa. Penetrating the Finnish section of the tanks are destroyed. Division 122 is cut off from the Red Army near the White Sea.
• December 23, 1939. The attack Finnish Karelian Isthmus is retained by the Soviets.
• 1925-1927 December 1939. again failed Soviet assault on the Mannerheim Line. This initiates a series of Finnish triumphs over 8 and 9 of the Army.
• 1927-1928 December 1939. 163 Finns break the Soviet division. Does not reach the 44 divisions of Soviet aid. January 2, 1940 is cut off from the Red Army, and January 6, 1940 broken into small groups.
• January 7, 1940. Command of Soviet forces on the Karelian Isthmus cover General Semyon Timoshenko . Finns at that time strengthen the Mannerheim Line. Russians reinforce this account artillery and armored units. Is introduced by the Soviets later a heavy tank KV. During this time the Finns nadszarpują 18 and 168 Soviet division.
• January 15, 1940. bombing positions in the Finnish section of Summa.
• January 28, 1940. 9 Division 54 Division defeated the Finnish Red Army in Kuhmo. Comes to the rescue 23 Russian division (which includes individual skiers), which is retained, and in turn 1910-1913 February 1940 broken.
• 1-8 February 1940. Russians attacking from above Division Summy. Finnish section in this part shall be shot at and bombed. Moving there, 7 and (the newly mobilized) 13 Army. Send four divisions of tanks against the Finns. Division 3 Finland takes over the burden of the war. Finns are exhausted and lack of ammunition.
• February 11, 1940. Breaking the Russian Mannerheim Line in the vicinity of Sumy.
• February 12, 1940. retaliated 5 divisions Finnish displaces the Soviet army from above the Summa.
• February 14, 1940. Government Britain declares a shortage of volunteers to fight in Finland. Finns receive information about the lack of support from the west.
• February 15, 1940. Soviet forces strike Finns to withdraw from the Mannerheim Line on the second line of defense.
• February 18, 1940. Breaking the Finnish defense line.
• February 22, 1940. Soviets slowly occupy the island in the Gulf of Finland. Koivisto Finns evacuated after planting batteries.
• February 26, 1940. Withdrawal Finns at the last lines of defense.
• March 2, 1940. Russians are breaking through the Finnish defense lines. In the region of the Finns Vuosalmi attacking forces from the Soviet Army in 1913. Finnish army to defend the remnants of their forces.
• March 11, 1940. ceasefire.

Based Chronicles of World War II , books and papers, all prepared by: Peter Mark